Good Mental Health Movies

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which means it’s time for a list of good mental health movies. And since over a third of the world’s population meets the qualifications for mental illness at some point, there’s a good chance you could use an uplifting story about a person overcoming such adversity. From clinical depression to dissociative identity disorder, the following list covers a wide spectrum of ailments.

And remember: most mental disorders can be treated. So if you’re watching these films and recognize someone similar to yourself, don’t continue to suffer in silence. Seek help. After all, you want to be around to enjoy all those great movies that Hollywood is going to be churning out in the coming years (like Avatar 2 and Transformers 3).

A Beautiful Mind (2001) – Russell Crowe and Ron Howard collaborated on this inspirational film about a brilliant, real-life mathematician, John Nash (Crowe), suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. As his delusions increase in intensity, he must struggle with a faltering career and the tremendous strain on his wife (Jennifer Connelly). Awarded the Oscar for Best Picture, it would also win for Best Director (Howard), Best Supporting Actress (Connelly), and Best Adapted Screenplay (from Sylvia Nasar’s book). Co-starring Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany, and Ed Harris.

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The Three Faces of Eve (1957)- Before she co-starred in Sybil, another tale of mental illness, Joanne Woodward captured a Best Actress Oscar for her emotional portrayal of Eve White, a woman stricken with multiple personality disorder. Based on the real-life case of housewife Chris Costner Sizemore.

Shine (1996) – Geoffrey Rush received the Best Actor Oscar for his role as real-life pianist David Helfgott, a brilliant musician troubled by years of mental illness and confinement in institutions. While a number of facts have been altered, the film still remains a stirring reminder of the indomitable human spirit. Co-starring Noah Taylor, Armin Mueller-Stahl, and Lynn Redgrave.

The Hours (2002) – A tale of three different women from different eras connected by Virginia Woolf’s book, Mrs. Dalloway, The Hours is well-acted thanks to the presence of such thespians as Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Ed Harris, Julianne Moore, and Toni Collette. Each of the three central characters struggles with depression, and the tale of author Woolf (Kidman) is especially moving. Wearing a prosthetic nose to better capture the character, Kidman would later win an Academy Award for her portrayal.

The Madness of King George (1994) – Adapted from Alan Bennett’s play, The Madness of George III, the film takes a sometimes darkly comic look at the declining mental health of the British ruler and the primitive medical practices of the day (including blistering). Nigel Hawthorne is incredible as King George III, and Helen Mirren is equally outstanding as the long-suffering Queen Charlotte.

The Aviator (2005) – Nominated for 11 Oscars, Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator focuses on the life of filmmaker and aviation pioneer Howard Hughes (Leonardo DiCaprio). As he battles the debilitating effects of severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, Hughes brings flight into the modern age, makes more movies, and even romances big-screen beauties such as Katharine Hepburn (Cate Blanchett) and Ava Gardner (Kate Beckinsale). The film ends around 1947, but Hughes and his increasingly erratic behavior would continue on until 1976.

Prozac Nation (2001) – Elizabeth Wurtzel penned the novel Prozac Nation about her battle with depression and the relief she received by taking the prescription drug of the title. Christina Ricci portrays Wurtzel in the film adaptation, and the supporting cast includes Jessica Lange, Anne Heche, and Jason Biggs. While it never received a major release in U.S. markets, it remains a faithful look at the struggle faced by millions every day.

Sybil (1976) – The victim of child abuse, shy Sybil Dorsett (Sally Field) develops dissociative identity disorder. Manifesting as 16 distinct personalities, Sybil’s illness threatens to destroy her life until she meets Cornelia B. Wilbur (Joanne Woodward), a psychiatrist who refuses to give up on her. Originally aired over the course of two nights as a TV movie, don’t write this off as the usual crap found on the boob tube. It’s powerful stuff, and Field certainly deserved her Emmy win.

Matchstick Men (2003) – Professional con artist Roy Waller (Nicolas Cage) lives with mysophobia, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, a nervous tic, and panic attacks. When he learns that he has a teenage daughter (Alison Lohman), Roy must find time for her while conducting an ambitious new con with his partner, Frank (Sam Rockwell). A sly mixture of comedy and drama, this Ridley Scott production takes themes such as honesty and trust and turns them on their head.

Ordinary People (1980) – Robert Redford made his debut as a director in this film about Conrad Jarrett (Timothy Hutton), a young man trying to cope with his emotions following a recent suicide attempt brought on by the death of his older brother. Conrad’s parents (Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore) also play a central role in the narrative, as they must also come to grips with the tragic events in their lives. Redford won the Best Director Oscar, while the debuting Hutton received a nod for Best Supporting Actor. In addition, the film would also win Best Picture.

All of the good mental health movies listed above can be purchased on Amazon, or you can go the rental route and become a Netflix subscriber. Either way, we do receive a small commission if you spend money by following our links. Rest assured, however, that any money we receive will go right back into the site, thus allowing us to bring you additional content in the future.

While you’re deciding between Amazon or Netflix, you can also click on the following links to enjoy more goodness from Only Good Movies:

• The 10 Most Mental Movie Psychics
• Best Doomsday Scenarios
• 10 Great Robert Downey Jr. Movie Moments

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